Info about Path of Exile 2:

Official game description:
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation Action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, featuring co-op for up to six players. Path of Exile 2 takes place in the land of Wraeclast, a dark continent populated by unique cultures, ancient secrets, and monstrous dangers. A sinister threat, long thought destroyed, has begun creeping back on the edge of civilisation, driving people mad and sickening the land with Corruption.
Path of Exile 2 features a brand new campaign with six acts, 100 distinct environments, 600 monsters and 100 bosses.
Key Features
------------
*   **Twelve Character Classes**  
    Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, two for every combination of Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence. While each of the class variants focuses on a different playstyle, they're just a starting point. You can combine skills from many classes together to create your ideal character build.  
    Each of the twelve character classes has its own three Ascendancy specialisations, resulting in a total of 36 Ascendancy Classes to pick between.  
*   **New Skill Gem System**  
    Path of Exile 2 features 240 Skill Gems that grant devastating active skills and 200 Support Gems that modify their behaviour. Combine these together to create your perfect build.  
    This is the next generation of Path of Exile's famous skill system. Support Gems are now socketed directly into Skill Gems, removing many of the frustrations present in the old system while maintaining all the previous depth. It's now possible to six-link every skill your character uses.
*   **Dual-specialise your Passive Skill Tree**  
    Path of Exile's iconic Passive Skill Tree has made a return, with 1,500 skills that allow you to completely customise your gameplay experience. It now features Dual Specialisation, the ability to allocate some passive skill points to two different sets of skills. They engage whenever the appropriate weapon or skill type is used. For example, you can have some points allocated to both daggers and traps, or ice and lightning, and as you swap between attacks, the appropriate skill points will apply. This lets you specialise in multiple areas without opportunity cost.  
*   **Uncover All-new Items**  
    Path of Exile 2 features 700 equipment base types and every single one has its own unique item you can find. You can augment your arsenal with new weapons such as Spears, Crossbows and Flails, as well as supplementary items like Focuses, Traps and redesigned Sceptres.
*   **Encounter Unique Bosses**  
    In Path of Exile 2, every area of the Campaign contains a boss encounter. There's over a hundred bosses to fight as you make your way through the Acts and they all have unique mechanics to learn.
*   **Explore a New Endgame**  
    Completing the campaign is just the beginning. The endgame in Path of Exile 2 includes countless areas in different biomes, powerful crafting, challenging bosses, unique encounters and much more. Unlock new paths and explore further into the world.   
    As you progress through the endgame, you will gain access to special passive trees that can boost the rewards of your maps and change the way the various endgame mechanics work. These trees will make your maps more rewarding but also more difficult.  
    Path of Exile 2 introduces sequels to several leagues from Path of Exile. While their mechanics are familiar, the monsters, bosses, rewards and progression are all new.
*   **Fair-To-Play. Never Pay-To-Win.**  
    Path of Exile 2 is a separate game to the original Path of Exile. We will continue to offer expansions for both games going forward. They will never be "pay to win". Purchases are shared between the two games.

Release date: Dec 6, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Character Progression, Looter, Cooperative Multiplayer, Endgame Content, Skill Tree Progression System, Character Customization, Dark Fantasy

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The analysis of user reviews reveals significant concerns regarding the game's monetization practices. Key issues include overpriced microtransactions, game design that encourages spending real money to overcome intentional inconveniences, and a perception of incomplete content with essential items locked behind paywalls. Additionally, there is a strong sentiment that the game employs a pay-to-progress model, where real-money spending is often necessary to make meaningful progress. Despite these criticisms, some users appreciate the game's graphics, voice acting, and challenging gameplay, providing a more balanced perspective.
- Wiki: score 75; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The analysis of user feedback for 'Wiki Tax' reveals several key themes impacting the user experience. The primary issues include the complexity of game mechanics and the steep learning curve, which often necessitates external resources for understanding and progression. The game is frequently compared to managing spreadsheets, indicating a significant focus on inventory and resource management that can be overwhelming. The loot system is noted for its complexity and the need for external tools and guides, which can detract from the gaming experience. Technical issues, particularly related to alt-tabbing and using second monitors, are common complaints that affect the overall user experience. Additionally, users highlight the need for smoother onboarding and the challenge of memorizing vast amounts of information, which can be a barrier to entry.
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Works Well with Minor Tweaks; summary: The game generally runs well on Linux with Proton, with many users reporting a smooth experience. However, there are notable issues with graphical glitches, particularly with the Vulkan renderer, which can cause crashes and stuttering. Users often need to switch between DirectX12 and Vulkan or perform other tweaks to achieve stable performance. There are also reports of account bans when switching to Linux, indicating potential anti-cheat or account management issues.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Needs Significant Improvement; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the game's performance, network stability, controller support, Steam Deck compatibility, and overall optimization. These issues collectively contribute to a frustrating user experience, with frequent mentions of crashes, stuttering, and poor server connectivity. While the game has positive aspects, such as enjoyable gameplay and good graphics, the technical problems overshadow these strengths.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies widely across hardware cohorts, with higher-end systems generally reporting better experiences but still facing issues like crashes and stuttering. Lower-end systems struggle significantly with optimization problems and frequent performance drops.
  - Sample size: 1030 (3% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (mixed, 223 reports): This cohort reports a mix of smooth performance and significant issues like lag spikes, crashes, and stuttering.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (mixed, 222 reports): Users experience both smooth gameplay and frequent crashes, stuttering, and performance issues.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (negative, 167 reports): This cohort mostly reports poor performance, frequent crashes, and significant lag issues.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (negative, 141 reports): Users report high GPU temperatures, crashes, and performance issues despite adequate RAM.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM / 32GB+ RAM (mixed, 69 reports): High-end systems experience both smooth performance and significant issues like crashes and overheating.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM / 32GB+ RAM (positive, 67 reports): Generally positive with some reports of crashes and stuttering, but mostly smooth performance.
  - Caveats: 1030 of 29481 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $25.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users generally find the game worth its current price of $30. Many reviews mention that the game offers hundreds of hours of content and fair monetization, making it reasonably priced compared to other games on the market. Additionally, several users explicitly state that the game is worth the $30 price tag, suggesting that the community considers this a fair price point.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 13000.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 14.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes direct mentions of playtime in hours, which can be used to estimate the playtime metrics. The first quote mentions 'quase 13k horas de PoE1,' which, although referring to the predecessor game, indicates a high level of engagement typical of the genre. The second quote suggests a high level of immersion and potential for extensive playtime. The third quote mentions '14hrs de jogo,' which directly refers to a play session length. The fourth quote implies that the game can consume significant amounts of time, suggesting long play sessions and potentially high total playtime for completion.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game's endgame is a mixed experience, with some players finding it addictive and engaging, while others find it tedious and repetitive due to lack of rewarding loot and game balance issues.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Endgame
  - Time to anchor: 24h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive maps; Lack of rewarding loot; Game crashes; Unbalanced classes; Tedious mobs
  - Unlock drivers: Addictive core gameplay loop; New mechanics adding fresh challenges
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Using specific builds; Engaging with new mechanics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Theorycrafting Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the depth and complexity of the game mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Experiments with different builds and enjoys the process of theorycrafting.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: ARPG fan; Hardcore player
    - Reference games: Diablo 2; Path of Exile 1
  - Frustrated Technician (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeks a stable and smooth gaming experience.
    - Playstyle: Prefers games that run well technically and without frequent issues.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Casual player; Technically inclined
    - Reference games: Diablo 4; Other stable ARPGs
  - Hardcore Thrill-Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the intensity and challenge of hardcore gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Prefers high-stakes, high-reward gameplay with significant consequences for failure.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Hardcore player; Veteran ARPG player
    - Reference games: Diablo 2; Path of Exile 1
  - Discontented Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeks a well-designed and enjoyable gaming experience.
    - Playstyle: Prefers games with well-thought-out mechanics and content.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Critical player; Experienced ARPG player
    - Reference games: Diablo 3; Other ARPGs with better-designed content


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and Fun Gameplay (weight 0.26): The game is described as fun, engaging, and captivating with solid gameplay mechanics. Players enjoy the overall experience and find it addictive and rewarding.
- Stunning Visuals and Graphics (weight 0.23): The game features highly rated graphics, visual effects, and animations that are visually impressive and beautiful. The environments and overall visual presentation are consistently praised.
- Extensive Build Variety (weight 0.16): The game provides a huge amount of build variety and customization. The passive skill tree and character-building system are praised for their depth and complexity.
- Satisfying and Impactful Combat (weight 0.16): Combat is noted for being smooth, responsive, and impactful. Players appreciate the weight and satisfaction of the combat system, which feels deliberate and challenging.
- Challenging and Rewarding Gameplay (weight 0.13): The game offers challenging gameplay with rewarding difficulty. Boss fights are particularly noted for being challenging, engaging, and requiring learning.
- Well-Designed Levels and Bosses (weight 0.1): The game has fantastic level design and well-designed boss fights. Locations are beautiful and well-crafted, adding to the overall experience.
- Immersive Atmosphere (weight 0.09): The game features a good atmosphere with excellent sound, music, and decor. The style and atmosphere are well executed, contributing to an immersive experience.
- Enjoyable Campaign (weight 0.08): The campaign is described as enjoyable, well-made, and fun. Players appreciate the varied and beautiful maps, as well as the well-balanced difficulty.
- Deep and Complex ARPG (weight 0.07): The game is praised for its depth and complexity as an ARPG. It offers more depth than most ARPGs and is considered one of the best in the genre.
- Accessible for Beginners (weight 0.07): The game is considered good for beginners and accessible. It is described as enjoyable and excellent, making it a great entry point for new players.
- Engaging World and Lore (weight 0.04): The world is packed with memorable monsters, unique lore, and fascinating characters. The world-building and character designs are praised for their quality.
- Strong Diablo Vibes (weight 0.04): The game is compared favorably to Diablo, with strong Diablo 2 vibes. It is considered a truly excellent Diablo clone and better than Diablo in some aspects.
- Free-to-Play Model (weight 0.04): The game is free-to-play with no paywalls, offering optional purchases. This model is appreciated by players.

Common complaints:
- Game quality and performance issues (weight 0.3): The game is reported to be in bad shape with many performance issues, including crashes, lag spikes, and poor optimization. Players find it slow, boring, and not user-friendly.
- Campaign is long and repetitive (weight 0.12): The campaign is described as too long, tedious, and repetitive. It is also criticized for being unskippable and boring.
- Crafting system is problematic (weight 0.11): The crafting system is criticized for being overly complicated, unrewarding, and frustrating due to RNG and high costs.
- Game balance issues (weight 0.1): The game is reported to have questionable balance, with skill balance problems and poor design decisions affecting gameplay.
- Boss fights are frustrating (weight 0.09): Boss fights are described as repetitive, boring, overly difficult, and poorly designed. They lack interesting mechanics and can be too long.
- Endgame content is repetitive (weight 0.08): The endgame is seen as repetitive, grindy, and lacking variety. It becomes boring quickly and is poorly balanced.
- Skill tree complexity (weight 0.08): The skill tree is criticized for being too complex, overwhelming, and confusing. It requires extensive time or external guides to understand.
- Slow pacing and movement (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for its slow pacing, including slow movement speed and slow development pace, making it boring and tedious.
- Game is not casual-friendly (weight 0.06): The game is noted to be not suitable for casual gamers, requiring significant time investment and not being enjoyable for casual players.
- Maps are poorly designed (weight 0.06): Maps are criticized for being large, confusing, and poorly designed. They are often empty and frustrating to navigate.
- Limited character customization (weight 0.06): Character customization is limited, with few options for gender and visual identity without payment. Build variety is also restricted.
- Lack of content (weight 0.05): The game is noted to have a lack of content, especially in the endgame, with slow content patches and not enough unique features.
- Poor item drop rates (weight 0.05): Item drops are criticized for being boring, rare, and often useless, making the loot system unrewarding.
- Act 3 is weak (weight 0.05): Act 3 is described as one of the weakest parts of the game, with slow and frustrating gameplay that is mostly unplayable.

Gameplay feedback:
- Extensive class customization (weight 0.15): The game offers a wide range of class choices and customization options, allowing for deep and varied character builds.
- Complex skill tree system (weight 0.13): The game features a complex and well-structured passive skill tree that offers a high degree of freedom and choice for character development.
- Engaging combat mechanics (weight 0.13): The combat system is engaging and tactical, featuring both melee and ranged options. It includes challenging boss fights and a variety of combat mechanics.
- Deep and complex gameplay (weight 0.13): The game involves complex mechanics and systems, including a deep economy, progression systems, and a variety of gameplay elements that require significant time investment.
- Challenging endgame content (weight 0.12): The endgame content is impressive but can be very challenging and sometimes repetitive. It includes difficult boss fights and additional challenge systems.
- Complex build strategies (weight 0.1): Players can create and customize a variety of complex builds, offering flexibility and depth in character development.
- ARPG genre blend (weight 0.08): The game blends elements of ARPG and souls-like genres, creating a challenging and engaging experience.
- Punishing progression system (weight 0.07): The game's progression system can be punishing and unrewarding, requiring excessive grinding and effort.
- Varied loot system (weight 0.06): The game includes a varied and engaging loot system, encouraging loot hunting and trading.
- Slow gameplay pace (weight 0.04): The gameplay pace can be slow and tedious, which might not appeal to all players.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.03): The game has a steep learning curve, requiring players to invest significant time to understand its complex mechanics and systems.
- Inventory management issues (weight 0.03): The game's inventory management system can be cumbersome and requires careful attention.
- Performance optimization needed (weight 0.03): The game has performance issues that need optimization to improve the overall experience.
- Temple farming mechanics (weight 0.03): The game includes temple farming and building mechanics, adding another layer of complexity and engagement.

Performance notes:
- Network and server issues (weight 0.2): Players report numerous network and server-related problems, including disconnections, instability, and high ping. These issues affect the overall gaming experience and connectivity.
- Performance and optimization problems (weight 0.18): The game suffers from various performance issues, including lag spikes, poor optimization, and inconsistent performance. These problems are noted across different hardware configurations.
- Frequent game crashes and freezes (weight 0.14): The game experiences frequent crashes and freezes, particularly on certain maps and during boss fights. These issues are widespread and significantly impact gameplay stability.
- Boss fight performance issues (weight 0.04): Players encounter specific performance and crashing issues during boss fights, which can be particularly frustrating and impact gameplay.
- Long load times (weight 0.03): Players experience long load times, particularly when loading towns. This issue affects the overall pacing and enjoyment of the game.
- Potential hardware risks (weight 0.03): There are reports that the game could potentially cause hardware issues, particularly on Windows 11 systems. This is a serious concern for players.
- Texture loading issues (weight 0.02): There are problems with texture loading and scaling, which can impact the visual quality and performance of the game.
- Controller binding issues (weight 0.02): The game has issues with recognizing L2 and R2 shoulder buttons when binding skills, which can affect gameplay for controller users.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for ARPG fans (weight 0.3): This game is a must-buy for fans of action RPGs, especially those who enjoy dark fantasy settings and deep character customization. It offers a challenging and rewarding experience with complex mechanics.
- Recommended for deep gameplay fans (weight 0.21): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy deep, complex, and challenging gameplay. It offers rewarding mechanics and long-term progression.
- Not recommended due to technical issues (weight 0.2): Many players advise against purchasing the game due to numerous technical issues, including performance problems, server issues, and repetitive gameplay. These issues significantly impact the overall experience.
- Wait for free release (weight 0.1): Several reviews suggest waiting until the game is released for free to avoid early access issues and to ensure a more polished experience.
- Worth trying despite issues (weight 0.09): Some players recommend giving the game a try due to its depth and enjoyment, even though it has some issues. The game's flexibility and improvements make it worth considering.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.08): The game is not recommended for casual players due to its complexity and the time required to progress. It is more suited for hardcore gamers.
- Try other ARPGs first (weight 0.07): Some reviewers suggest trying other ARPGs like Path of Exile 1, Diablo, or Grim Dawn before committing to this game, especially if you are new to the genre.
- Mixed recommendations on value (weight 0.06): Opinions vary on whether the game is worth its price. Some players find it worth the money, while others feel it is not worth paying for, especially at full price.
- Recommended for challenging experience (weight 0.04): This game is ideal for players seeking a challenging and tactical combat experience. It is recommended for those who enjoy grinding and following guides.
- Do not recommend due to developer decisions (weight 0.03): Some players do not recommend the game due to recent developer decisions and a loss of trust. This has led to a negative perception of the game's future.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.42): Players are frustrated due to a combination of technical issues and gameplay design. Frequent crashes, server instability, and lag spikes make the game unplayable for many. Additionally, the game's difficulty spikes, poor optimization, and complex mechanics contribute to a frustrating experience, especially for new or casual players.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Players express disappointment due to unmet expectations and a perceived decline in quality compared to the original game. Issues such as lack of content, repetitive gameplay, and poor optimization contribute to this sentiment. Additionally, the game's monetization practices and the removal of certain features have left players feeling let down.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Players are excited about the game's deep customization options, engaging gameplay mechanics, and the potential for long-term play. The variety of builds, complex progression systems, and the game's dark fantasy atmosphere contribute to this excitement. Additionally, the game's high production quality and the promise of upcoming updates have players looking forward to the full release.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players find satisfaction in the game's deep and rewarding gameplay systems, satisfying combat, and build variety. The game's improved mechanics, performance, and the lack of pay-to-win elements contribute to this satisfaction. Additionally, the game's value for money and the meaningful character progression provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Anger (weight 0.06): Players are angry due to a combination of game-breaking issues, unfair mechanics, and developer decisions. Frequent crashes, server instability, and one-shot mechanics contribute to this anger. Additionally, the game's difficulty spikes, lack of build variety, and the developers' handling of exploits and economy issues have left players feeling frustrated and disrespected.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Players find joy in the game's unique skill tree, creative build possibilities, and enjoyable gameplay. The game's good visuals, engaging progression, and fun skills contribute to this joy. Additionally, the game's marketplace and the excitement of finding rare loot add to the overall enjoyment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.01): Players enjoy the game's variety of builds, challenging combat, and immersive elements such as music, graphics, and story. The game's fun cycle of gameplay, character progression, and unique weapons contribute to this enjoyment. Additionally, the game's accessibility for beginners and the engaging endgame content make it enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused due to the game's complex and poorly explained mechanics. The skill tree's size and complexity, as well as the lack of clarity in ground effects and endgame content, contribute to this confusion. Additionally, the game's Vaal Dungeon mechanic is found to be confusing and not worth the time investment.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Players experience boredom due to the game's repetitive gameplay and lack of skill variety. The long and tedious campaign, as well as the excessive time spent moving rather than in combat, contribute to this boredom. Additionally, the game's repetitive nature every few months and the same locations and quests repeatedly make it boring for some players.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed due to the game's design and development issues. The lack of build diversity, skill balance, and the dependency on luck for builds contribute to this disappointment. Additionally, the game's connection issues, server stability problems, and the last-minute crafting nerf have left players feeling let down.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated due to the game's frequent crashes, difficulty spikes, and poor optimization. The game's design philosophy, balance issues, and the unstable network performance contribute to this frustration. Additionally, the game's difficulty scaling, multiplayer experience, and character freezing and disconnections have left players feeling annoyed and disappointed.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Players are annoyed due to the game's difficulty spikes, annoying creatures, and mob respawn after death. The game's overall annoying gameplay experience contributes to this sentiment.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game due to its new content, updates, and the engaging nature of working out new builds and paths. The game's deep and rewarding gameplay systems, as well as its high replay value, contribute to this love.
- Appreciation (weight 0): Players appreciate the game's development practices and the developers' responsiveness to community feedback. The game's incredible gameplay despite technical issues and the user-friendly approach contribute to this appreciation.
- Immersion (weight 0): Players are immersed in the game's dark and immersive world, packed with memorable monsters, unique lore, and fascinating characters. The game's atmospheric and engaging story contribute to this immersion.
- Addiction (weight 0): Players find the game addictive due to its engaging and deep gameplay mechanics. The loot chase and the game's complex and rewarding systems contribute to this addiction.
- Challenge (weight 0): Players find the game challenging due to its complex crafting system and demanding gameplay. The game's challenging encounters and the need for strategic planning contribute to this sense of challenge.
- Overwhelmed (weight 0): Players are overwhelmed due to the game's complex skill tree and the multitude of mechanics. The extensive time required to understand the game's systems and the numerous tiny choices to make contribute to this feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Gratitude (weight 0): Players are grateful to the developers for their work on the game. The game's positive impact on players' lives, such as helping with health issues, and the developers' responsiveness to community feedback contribute to this gratitude.
- Approval (weight 0): Players approve of the game's accessibility for new players while retaining the depth of character builds. The game's high-quality hack-and-slash gameplay and frequent updates contribute to this approval.}